Identify acid, base, conjugate acid, and conjugate base in the following reaction: H₂CO₃(aq) + H₂O(l) ⇌ HCO₃^-(aq) + H₃O⁺(aq) A) H₂CO₃ is an acid, H₂O is a base, HCO₃^- is a conjugate base, and H₃O⁺ is a conjugate acid. B) H₂CO₃ is a conjugate acid, H₂O is a conjugate base, HCO₃^- is a base, and H₃O⁺ is an acid. C) H₂CO₃ is an acid, H₂O is a conjugate base, HCO₃^- is a base, and H₃O⁺ is a conjugate acid. D) H₂CO₃ is a conjugate acid, H₂O is a base, HCO₃^- is a conjugate base, and H₃O⁺ is an acid. E) H₂CO₃ is an acid, H₂O is a conjugate acid, HCO₃^- is a base, and H₃O⁺ is a conjugate base.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the given reaction, H₂CO₃ is donating a proton (H+) and acting as an acid. H₂O is accepting a proton (H+) and acting as a base. HCO₃^-, which is formed after the donation of a proton by H₂CO₃, has gained a negative charge and acting as a conjugate base. H₃O⁺, which is formed after the acceptance of a proton by H₂O, has gained an extra proton and act as a conjugate acid. Therefore the best choice is A, where H₂CO₃ is an acid, H₂O is a base, HCO₃^- is a conjugate base, and H₃O⁺ is a conjugate acid.

Identify Acid, Base, Conjugate Acid, and Conjugate Base in the Following